I want to enter the Medina County fair this year. I have a 21-year old, gaited Paso Fino gelding who I've owned my whole life, and who my mom owned before I was born since he was 3. I'm 13. Arthur has defenite spunk to him. You'd never guess he's 21....I've had people tell me what a gorgeous 5-year old he is! Lol. My farrier says he has the best temperment of all the horses he works on. I own him and 3 other horses, all of whom are on my property. What do can we do at the Fair?

*I'm 13
*Arthur's 21, gaited, and a paso fino gelding
*We ride Western
*Arthur is well-trained, no vices except for needing Lulu (mentioned later in this paragraph)
*We walk, trot, canter, lope
*I'm not entirely sure how to ask for lead changes, nor when to ask for them. Arthur might change them naturally, but I don't know enough to know if he's on the correct lead.
*I can practice for the Fair a few times a week
*His conformation is good, but I can never critique my own horses' confo for some reason. Weird, right? I'll try to take a few pics to have critiqued

I'd like to do some Trail classes. Maybe a few Western Pleasure, a halter class if his confo is determined to be excellent, and maybe a walk, trot, canter class or something.
Arthur's one hangup is this: We bought Lulu, a miniature horse mare, to keep Arthur company since his best friend had died of founder. Arthur hated her. They annoyed the crap out of each other for a full year. However, when we bought a Paint Clydesdale gelding and a Welsh stallion, Arthur, being dominant, took to herding Lulu around incessantly. I couldn't ride Arthur now without ponying Lulu. It got really annoying, and has been going on for 2 years. I cannot ride Arthur anywhere without Lulu coming with us. He freaks, and does not cooperate. I try to assert myself and tell him who's boss by circling him in the back pastures. I make him walk away from the barn where Lulu is, and I have to kick him the whole way. He fights me the whole time. However, on the stretch of the circle heading in the direction of the barn, I have to keep him on such a tight rein. He just won't slow down. It is sooo annoying. He used to hate Lulu, but ever since we've had the stallion and the other gelding, he drives me insane. HAS to be near her. I can't groom him in cross ties without Lulu being there in the barn aisleway with him. How the heck can I stop this?? I obviously can't have her running behind us in the show ring at the fair! I know him. He won't perform if Lulu isn't there. And Lulu is not the best horse I've ever known. She bucks at Arthur the whole time we canter in the back fields, which gets Arthur going. If Lulu feels like hanging back on the ride, Arthur will wait for her and i CANT get him to go forward!! Should I use spurs?? A crop?? I don't want to hurt him. Sorry for the really long explanation....Here's a video of us riding. You can see how Arthur's fine with Lulu following us, but when she slows down, he halts and waits. And I sit there kicking like a maniac trying to get him to move.

Equiniphile, I've read this and your other thread concerning trail classes. First I want to say that it is so nice to hear about a horse that spends his whole life with one family.

Concerning shows, I think you need to find someone who will help you with your riding. If you don't know what a sidepass is or how to change leads, it's important to learn. It is part of the horsemanship necessary to compete.

It's great to have a goal. I would strongly suggest going to some local and larger shows to see what is required first hand. You will see how the horses work and if you can befriend some of the contestants, they can give you step by step directions as you watch another contestant perform. You will see what gear is necessary for your horse and for you. You can only learn so much watching a video or reading about it - although it's a good way to start. It's always better to see it in person with someone critiquing the ride.

Good luck!

As for your problem with the mini, I would not have him anywhere in the vicinity while I am working the Paso. He is too much of a distraction. I would do a lot of ground work with Arthur without the mini around. You really need to remove the distraction, at least at first, until Arthur is working properly.

I'm not arguing with you, I'm just explaining why I'm right.

Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong. It's not always what you say but what they hear.

Okay, thanks. I remove the mini from his site when I try to get him to go out alone, but he continues to freak out over her. I'll try separating them further. I know what a side pass is, and am working on it with my Paso. I'll try to go to some local shows and watch the competetors:)

For the poles, are those just for English? And for the egg&spoon walk-trot, will I be disqualified if my horse gaits instead of trots?

Arthur can do a walk, but it's usually more like a "fox walk", he can do the fino sometimes, he can do a fox trot, and he canters. All VERY smooth. I don't think I can do regular WP, because he doesn't trot, but our fair has a gaited WP so I could do that. Here's some newer videos. Tell me what gaits you think he's doing:

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